Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by
Is A Low Testosterone Supplement Necessary?
Before we jump into this low testosterone supplement guide, let’s briefly look into the average past, present and future of testosterone levels in men.
The History Of Male Testosterone
In the past, men had substantially higher testosterone levels. Just 100 years ago men had average testosterone levels ranging from 800 to 2000 ng/DL. Which is crazy in comparison to today’s levels.
This could have been the case for many factors, such as; diet, exercise, environment, lifestyle, culture and so on.
The average man of the past (depending on era), would be almost unrecognisable if compared to the modern man in terms of testosterone levels.
The Current State Of Male Testosterone
A study from the American Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that testosterone levels in men are declining on an average of 1% per year.
This leaves present-day men at a critical disadvantage, especially in comparison to men of the past.
As of the present day, adult men aged 18+ should be within the range of 300 and 1200 ng/DL. The average modern-day man has levels of around 650 ng/DL.
The Future Of Male Testosterone
If the future 1% decline persists, it leaves future men in a bleak place in terms of testosterone levels and manliness in general.
This will leave men weaker, more depressed, lethargic, unmotivated, irritable and with a multitude of sexual problems.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a part of these statistics. By following a healthy lifestyle, diet and possible supplementation, you can avoid this unfortunate looking future.
What Counts As Low Testosterone?
If you’re considering using a low testosterone supplement you’re obviously aiming to improve your testosterone levels. But, it’s important to understand what counts as ‘low testosterone before you take the plunge into supplementation.
Unless you do a lab test there is no accurate way to measure your levels. But, you can gauge if you’re on the low end of the spectrum by assessing if you have any symptoms of low testosterone.
With that in mind, testosterone levels in men, peak around the age of 25. With this in mind, most men aged 18-30 should be within the range of 300 and 1200 ng/DL.
Signs Of Low Testosterone
When testosterone dips in men, many unwanted symptoms can be experienced, but these are the most notable ones:
Low Sex Drive
- Men with low testosterone have less of a desire to have sex than they did when their testosterone levels were in a healthy range
Muscle Tissue Loss
- Low testosterone levels can result in the loss of previously gained muscle tissue
Low Mood/Depression
- Low mood and depression are associated with low testosterone in men, and is often one of the most noticeable symptoms of low-range levels
Erectile Dysfunction
- One of the more unsettling symptoms of low testosterone levels in men, is that of difficulties holding an erection
Strength Loss
- The loss of muscular strength is a tell-tale sign of low testosterone levels in men
Lack Of Energy
- Fatigue or low-energy levels are a major sign of low testosterone, especially if these symptoms coincide with other symptoms in this list
What You Should Consider
If you experience some of these symptoms, it may be worthwhile to invest in a low testosterone supplement to alleviate the symptoms you’re experiencing.
What Is A Supplement?
Taking it back to the fundamentals, what is a supplement? A supplement is considered a ‘helping hand’ in assisting your body to consume the proper levels of nutrients it needs.
Supplements can include many different types of ingredients and nutrients such as; vitamins, botanicals, minerals, herbs, proteins and much more.
It’s important to remember that most nutrients in supplements can be found in the correct diet. But, some food may be a pain or almost impossible to consume on a daily basis to reach beneficial levels. For example, you could eat kg’s of Spinach or just take a daily vitamin… I know what I’d choose.
What Is A Low Testosterone Supplement?
A low testosterone supplement can help alleviate the symptoms of low testosterone. It will help restore your testosterone to normal levels.
Low testosterone supplements work well, but sometimes they may not be wholly effective, and you’ll need to go down the TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) route.
However, unlike TRT a low testosterone supplement will usually work a lot faster. You should begin to feel relief from symptoms within 2-4 weeks.
The Benefits Of A Low Testosterone Supplement
A low testosterone supplement can dramatically help to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms listed above. Here are some of the benefits you gain when taking a low testosterone supplement.
Psychological
Sense Of Well-Being
One of the most important benefits you may get from taking a low testosterone supplement is that of a better sense of well-being.
Stable testosterone levels help regulate the flow of Dopamine within your brain, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure. Stable testosterone levels may also help regulate serotonin, which is associated with feeling good.
A low testosterone supplement may help restore you to the natural levels of Testosterone that you previously had. Which in turn, will place you back to pleasurable states of well-being.
Improved Mood
Testosterone is a major factor in regulating mood in men and women. Low testosterone can dramatically fluctuate mood and is one of the most commonly reported symptoms.
A low testosterone supplement helps to alleviate this symptom by raising your natural levels back to a healthy range.
By doing this, you can expect to experience higher moods for a longer period of time. Rather than a rollercoaster of emotions experienced in low testosterone men.
Higher Sleep Quality
Stable levels of testosterone are also associated with deeper and better sleep. It helps regulate your circadian rhythm – which is the system in your body responsible for the sleep cycle.
Some of the supplements in the list below (without the added testosterone support) help with sleep. But, with the possible added boost in testosterone levels, you’ll be out like a light.
High quality sleep is one of the most important factors in a healthy lifestyle and the gym. You can expect benefits from better muscle growth to healthier skin. All from a great night’s sleep.
Physical
Muscle Growth
A low testosterone supplement will boost your levels to a healthy range, where going to the gym won’t seem like a pointless pursuit anymore.
Muscle growth and testosterone levels go hand-in-hand. Why do you think professional bodybuilders take unholy amounts of the stuff and not the natural kind…
You may once again be seeing gains and progressing. I’ve been there with lowered testosterone levels, and it isn’t fun, especially when you don’t see the fruits of your labour in the gym.
Strength
Higher testosterone levels not only improve muscle gain, but also muscular strength. The worlds’ best strongmen have some of the highest testosterone levels globally, be it natural or not.
Your strength may return to past levels or even proceed past levels to where you’re lifting more than you ever did.
Personally, I noticed an increase of around 15% strength in my heavy lifts after a month of taking some of the supplements listed below.
Energy
An unfortunate symptom of low testosterone is lethargy, a lack of motivation and a general sense of less energy. This is where a low testosterone supplement may be able to help.
Low testosterone levels can result in poor quality of sleep and unfavourable levels of neurotransmitters as well as chemicals in the body responsible for energy generation.
Taking a low testosterone supplement may boost your natural testosterone levels back to a pre-declined state, and thus restore your overall energy capabilities.
Sex Life
Increased Libido
Unfortunately, many of the negative symptoms associated with low testosterone in men are sexual health-related. This is due to testosterone being the main chemical responsible for regulating mens’ reproductive system.
But, with the right low testosterone supplement among other things, your libido and desire for sex may return to natural levels.
You’ll once again be interested in the idea of sexual activities and in the opposite sex, or the same sex depending on your preference of course.
More Semen
Men with low testosterone have been found to release a significantly less amount of semen during ejaculation compared to men with higher levels.
This can not only affect confidence in the bedroom (performance anxiety), but it could also result in infertility issues.
A low testosterone supplement may help restore your semen count to prior levels before the decline in testosterone levels. This may improve overall confidence and the chances of you and your partner conceiving.
Better Orgasms
A low testosterone count can result in less enjoyment in the bedroom during intimate activities. This is due to a decreased libido, but more specifically due to the lack of ‘feel-good’ brain chemicals.
A benefit similar to increased libido, your desire and enjoyment whilst having sex may be drastically increased with a low testosterone supplement.
Anecdotally men that have regained their prior testosterone levels, or to levels higher than before experienced more pleasurable sex and orgasms whilst with a sexual partner.
The Best Low Testosterone Supplement – Top 5
1. Ashwagandha
What Is It?
Ashwagandha is a small shrub with green leaves originally native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It’s also known as “Indian Ginseng”, “Winter Cherry” and its botanical name “Withania Somnifera”.
What’s Its History As A Supplement?
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years, most commonly in India, where its name is actually Sanskrit, meaning “smell of the horse”. It has been used as a natural healer of many ailments including (most importantly to this article), fertility.
What’s Its Uses?
As mentioned, Ashwagandha has been used for millennia to provide medicinal benefits. Some of these are; stress relief, concentration, fertility and in more recent times boosting testosterone.
How Does It Boost Testosterone?
Ashwagandha is thought to be an effective low testosterone supplement due to its cortisol (stress hormone) reducing effects. Cortisol is a major player in low testosterone levels.
2. Zinc
What Is It?
Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs to function properly. It is found in variable levels in most foods, but some of the best sources are; Oysters, Crabs, Tuna and poultry.
What’s Its History As A Supplement?
In pure supplement form, Zinc is a new phenomenon. However, people of the past would consume some of the foods above and more, for the benefits that Zinc gives.
What’s Its Uses?
Some of the main benefits of Zinc are things such as assisting the immune system, metabolic function, wound healing and sexual function.
How Does It Boost Testosterone?
Zinc has been shown to slow down the aromatase enzyme, decreasing the conversion of free testosterone into other androgens. It also plays a part in proper thyroid function which has a vital role in testosterone production.
3. Fenugreek
What Is It?
Fenugreek is a clover-like herb originating from the Mediterranean, North Africa, southern Europe and western Asia. It belongs to the plant family “Fabaceae”.
What’s Its History As A Supplement?
Fenugreek has been used dating back thousands of years for many of its benefits. Some of these benefits are things such as; a diabetic aid, to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women, and most interestingly as an aphrodisiac in ancient Greece and Egypt.
What’s Its Uses?
Fenugreek today is still used as an aid for breastfeeding women, and as a way to boost testosterone in men. Some of its other possible uses are; cholesterol control, appetite control, heartburn and inflammation.
How Does It Boost Testosterone?
Fenugreek may boost testosterone by working as a natural aromatase inhibitor. In laments terms, it keeps free testosterone in the body, as testosterone for longer.
4. Vitamin D
What Is It?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in the body and in dietary sources. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, but it is also found in many foods.
What’s Its History As A Supplement?
Vitamin D was mainly only unconsciously consumed via sunlight. People in the past had considerably more exposure to sunlight compared to our modern-day sedentary lifestyles.
What’s Its Uses?
Some of the beneficial uses of vitamin D are; supporting the immune system, supporting the heart, building muscle, mood regulation and healthy testosterone production.
How Does It Boost Testosterone?
Healthy levels of vitamin D have been associated with being a vital building block of the secretion (release), of testosterone within the body.
5. CBD
What Is It?
CBD is a concentrated version of a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), found within the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects.
What’s Its History As A Supplement?
Alone, CBD was only recently isolated from the Cannabis plant. However, the plant has been used for thousands of years across countless civilisations for various supplementary reasons.
What’s Its Uses?
CBD has many medicinal/beneficial uses as can be seen in our previous article. Some of the problems it treats are; insomnia, relaxation, anxiety, inflammation, chronic pain, seizure control and prevention, as well as many more.
How Does It Boost Testosterone?
CBD has been known to reduce cortisol in people with high-stress levels, which as previously mentioned is a testosterone killer. It also aids in a restful night’s sleep which is vital for maintaining healthy levels of testosterone.
Testosterone Supplement Safety
How To Stay Safe
If you’re going to take the plunge into low testosterone supplements, you should always consider testosterone supplement safety.
I recommend you follow the proceeding list diligently before you take any low testosterone supplement.
- Consult your doctor about usage
- Take the recommended dose
- Follow the ingestion advice
- Avoid alcohol and dietary irritants
- Be aware of any medicine interactions
- Be sensible, don’t over do it
Conclusion
Suffering from low testosterone levels can be at best, a mild inconvenience and at worst, a nightmare.
So before you jump on TRT, which is expensive and scary to start, you should definitely consider natural alternatives first, such as the ones above.
However, that’s all from me for now. I hope this has been helpful and I wish you all the best on your health and fitness journey. Your Coach, Jack.